Sailors, Saints, & Sinners

Last week I wrapped up a 2-year journey with other pastors in a group put together by Leadership Network. This type of experience was new to me but something I needed.  As I reflect back on the journey, here’s some things that come to mind:

Leaders must pay attention not only to the organizational health but [...]

[Read more →]

Let’s face it, we are all approval addicts.  We want to be accepted, approved, and validated.  The two big questions we must ask are “Where do we go to get the approval we so desperately want?” and “What is the cost of gaining that approval?”
Most of the time we look to other people for this [...]

[Read more →]

I’ve noticed a trend at Rock Bridge … people with big egos don’t usually stick around at our church.  We’ve had lots of people come through our doors hungry for God, for hope, for purpose, for truth, and for a way to serve … and by God’s grace many have found those things through RBCC. [...]

[Read more →]

As we approach our 7-year anniversary at Rock Bridge, I was reflecting on some decisions that we’ve made that I think have made a big, long-term difference in the church we are today and the direction we are headed.
1)  The pastor needs to spend the vast majority of his time in the two areas of [...]

[Read more →]

As I’ve finished up a study of Proverbs, I’ve noticed some pretty amazing stuff regarding just living life.   When following these things tend to make life simpler and smoother.  These principles are grouped into four (4) main categories …
The Essential Ingredients for Life — these are “gotta have” aspects that we must have in [...]

[Read more →]

A big part of me as a person and a leader is to always ask the question, How can we get better? Where is there room for improvement?   These are two questions we’re always asking on staff as we do a weekly review and as we plan ahead.  This keeps us from taking things for [...]

[Read more →]

I think there is nothing like the power of a good question … and sometimes it is revealing to ask, “What am I NOT asking?”  God has used questions to challenge, convict, and comfort me at times.  Here are some questions that have really stretched me, my faith, and my leadership:

There is a difference between [...]

[Read more →]

My trip to Dallas, TX was once again incredible!!  What God is doing in churches from Michigan to Kentucky to Nevada to Utah is absolutely amazing.  This is a God-ripe time to be alive!!  Here’s a couple of highlights:

Economic Crisis: This got a lot of mileage because of the current trouble in our economy.  But Christianity [...]

[Read more →]

When you read the New Testament you see that Paul started a bunch of churches but he always worked to establish elders in the individual churches (Titus 1:5 — “…appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.” ).  Since our beginning in 2002 we have had Elders who along with the staff oversee the direction [...]

[Read more →]

I’m learning more and more that certain things have to exist in a healthy tension with one another and that going to far in one direction disrupts the balance needed in an organization (or a life for that matter). 
Grace & Truth:  Jesus modeled this tension perfectly by confronting people with the truth which often made [...]

[Read more →]